Practice Lab: Strengthen Your Coaching Foundation
This Practice Lab gives you a simple, no-pressure way to sharpen your coaching awareness.
You'll explore updated 2025 ICF competencies, ethics, and a few real-world practice scenarios — all in one place.
Whether you're preparing for a credential, returning to the core skills, or building confidence, this is a practical starting point before entering the Applied Lab.
Welcome to the Practice Lab
This space is designed to help you build clarity, confidence, and rhythm as you prepare for the PCC exam.
Take a moment, click play, and ease into the process.
ICF Code of Ethics (2025)
This information from the International Coaching Federation walks through the updated 2025 ICF Code of Ethics. Start here to anchor your practice in integrity before you dive into competencies.
Open the ICF Code of Ethics (PDF)
Information © International Coaching Federation. Embedded here for educational purposes. All credit belongs to ICF.
ICF Core Competencies (2025)
Refresh the eight Core Competencies directly from ICF. Review each competency so you can connect principles to real coaching choices in your practice.
Open the ICF Core Competencies (PDF)
Information © International Coaching Federation. Embedded here for educational purposes. All credit belongs to ICF.
The PCC Markers translate each competency into observable behaviors assessors look for. If you’re working toward your PCC, the markers help you turn “I know the competency” into “I consistently demonstrate it in session.” They’re concrete, coach-friendly, and ideal for self-review or mentor-coach conversations.
Why PCC Markers Matter
Open the PCC Markers (PDF)
Information © International Coaching Federation. Embedded here for educational purposes. All credit belongs to ICF.
Ready to practice?
The short exercise below gives you a feel for PCC-style decision-making. You’ll choose the Best and Worst responses and get quick feedback so you can strengthen awareness, presence, and coaching instinct in real time.
THE ANSWER EXPLANATIONS APPEAR BELOW THE BEST AND WORST ANSWER SETS. YOU CAN ALSO CLEAR THE CHOSEN ANSWERS BY CHOOSING THE CLEAR ANSWERS BUTTON
This is just a taste of the deeper Applied Lab™, where you’ll work through 40 scenarios and build real momentum.
F.A.C.E. Framework — Quick Reference Guide
Use this checklist to help spot the potentially WORST possible answer in each PCC-style scenario.
If you notice even one F.A.C.E. warning sign, the answer is likely not aligned with presence, partnership, or coaching ethics.
Keep this at hand as you work through the practice questions.